on the coast before he can leave it altogether for
South America. Though he has already four hundred slaves on board, he
will probably, if he can find them, take two or three hundred more
before he considers he has his full cargo."

"Dreadful!" exclaimed Kate. "I would rather go through any dangers on
shore than have remained longer on board that terrible vessel."

"So would I," said Bella. "I fancy I still hear the cries of those poor
little black children." Timbo and Jack shook their fists at the vessel.

"Oh yes; Natty and I often talked of how we could set them free!"
exclaimed Leo; "and only wished that the English man-of-war would come
and catch them. If I become a sailor, I would rather be engaged in
hunting slavers and liberating the poor blacks than in fighting
Frenchmen, or any other enemies."

"One thing I would advise is, that we leave this coast and proceed to
the highlands in the interior," observed Senhor Silva. "You saw that
range of blue mountains as we approached the shore, though they are now
hidden by the trees? They form the Serra do Crystal. They are but
thinly inhabited, and though travelling along them will be rougher work
than on the plains, yet we shall enjoy fresh breezes and a more healthy
climate than down below."

"To the mountains, then, in the first place let us proceed," said
Stanley, springing to his feet. "After that we can decide which way to
take; but, for my own part, I should prefer moving towards the south.
We shall be going homewards, and may be better able to send a message to
our friends at the Cape. It is a long distance, but we shall, no doubt,
hear from them if we have patience, and, in the meantime, maintain
ourselves in the most healthy region we can find. There is, at all
events, no lack of game, and we shall probably be able to obtain fruit
and vegetables sufficient for our wants."

"An excellent plan!" exclaimed David. "We shall thus be able to add
largely to our knowledge of natural history; and if Kate and Bella do
not object to live a savage life for so many months, I think we can make
our stay not only satisfactory, but in many respects delightful."

"I am glad to do whatever you wish, my brothers," said Kate; "and I
think I shall enjoy the life you propose very much. I wish I had a few
more books to teach Bella from; but we must make the most of those we
have: and I will undertake to cook for you and tend the house, for I
suppose you do not inte